Taxi fares increase to offset gas prices

Fares will increase to $2 per mile from $1.50, trustees decided Tuesday. The fee to flag a cab will be $2, up from $1.50, and the charge for additional passengers increases to $1 per passenger from 50 cents. The cost of a trip from Niles to O'Hare International Airport goes from $19 to $21.

Community Development Director Charles Ostman said the last fare increase was in 2004. "Gas was $1.73 a gallon then," he said.

Gas prices in the Chicago area average $3.30 per gallon, officials said.

Trustee Robert Callero called the new fares expensive and said he feared they would hurt senior citizens.